If you want to look and feel radiant this summer, then adding some highlights to your makeup routine is an absolute must. Highlighting is an art form that requires a delicate touch and a thorough understanding of light and shadow. But don't worry if you're new to the game - we've got you covered. In this article, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to achieve a sultry summer glow with highlighting.
The Benefits of Highlighting for Your Summer Makeup Routine
First and foremost, let's talk about why highlighting is such an essential part of any summer makeup routine. For one, it can make you appear more youthful by bringing light and radiance to your face. It can also help to define your features and create a more sculpted, chiseled look. Plus, highlighting is versatile enough to be worn in a variety of ways, from subtle and natural to bold and dramatic.
Another benefit of highlighting is that it can help to combat the effects of summer heat and humidity on your skin. As the temperature rises, your skin can become oily and shiny, but a well-placed highlight can counteract this by adding a controlled, luminous glow. Additionally, highlighting can draw attention away from any imperfections or blemishes, giving you a flawless, airbrushed finish.
Finally, highlighting is a great way to experiment with different makeup looks and styles. Whether you prefer a dewy, natural look or a bold, glittery finish, there are endless possibilities when it comes to highlighting. You can even mix and match different shades and textures to create a truly unique and personalized look that reflects your individual style and personality.
The Science Behind Highlighting: Understanding Light and Shadow
To achieve a flawless highlighted look, it's important to understand the science behind how light and shadow work together on the face. Essentially, highlighting involves adding light to the high points of the face (such as the cheekbones, brow bone, and cupid's bow) to create dimension and depth, while contouring uses shadows on the hollows of the face to create a more sculpted look. By strategically placing highlighter on the face, you can brighten and enhance your features while simultaneously adding a natural-looking glow.
One important factor to consider when highlighting is the type of lighting you will be in. Natural light will showcase your highlight in a more subtle and natural way, while artificial lighting can make it appear more intense. It's also important to choose a highlighter shade that complements your skin tone. For fair skin, a champagne or pearl shade works well, while deeper skin tones can benefit from a gold or bronze highlight.
Another technique to enhance your highlight is to layer different types of highlighter. For example, you can start with a cream highlighter and then add a powder highlighter on top for a more intense glow. You can also mix a liquid highlighter with your foundation for an all-over radiance. Experimenting with different techniques and products can help you find the perfect highlighting routine for your unique features.
Choosing the Right Highlighter for Your Skin Tone: Tips and Tricks
The key to achieving a perfect highlighted look is selecting the right highlighter for your skin tone. As a general rule of thumb, those with fair skin look best with champagne or pink-toned highlighters, while those with medium to deep skin tones can rock gold or bronze shades. When choosing a highlighter, it's also important to consider the finish - do you want a subtle, natural sheen or a bold, metallic shine?
Another important factor to consider when choosing a highlighter is the texture. Cream highlighters work best for those with dry skin, while powder highlighters are ideal for those with oily skin. If you have combination skin, you can use both cream and powder highlighters to achieve a flawless look.
It's also important to apply highlighter in the right areas to enhance your features. For a natural look, apply highlighter to the high points of your face, such as the cheekbones, brow bone, and cupid's bow. For a more dramatic look, you can also apply highlighter to the inner corners of your eyes and the bridge of your nose.
How to Prep Your Skin for a Flawless Highlighted Look
If you want your highlighted look to be long-lasting and flawless, then it's important to prep your skin properly beforehand. Start by cleansing your face and applying your usual moisturizer, being sure to let it sink in fully before applying any makeup. You can then apply a makeup primer to help your makeup last longer and blur any imperfections. Finally, apply a light layer of foundation or BB cream before moving onto the highlighting stage.
Another important step in prepping your skin for a highlighted look is to exfoliate regularly. This will help to remove any dead skin cells and create a smooth surface for your makeup to sit on. You can use a physical exfoliant, such as a scrub, or a chemical exfoliant, such as an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) or beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) toner.
Additionally, it's important to choose the right highlighter for your skin tone and type. If you have oily skin, opt for a powder highlighter, while those with dry skin may prefer a cream or liquid formula. When applying your highlighter, focus on the high points of your face, such as the cheekbones, brow bone, and cupid's bow, for a natural-looking glow.
Step-by-Step Tutorial: Achieving a Sultry Summer Glow with Highlighting
Ready to get started? Follow these steps for a sultry summer glow that's sure to turn heads:
- Begin by applying your go-to foundation or BB cream and blending it out well with a brush or beauty blender. Be sure to blend the product out towards your hairline and neck to avoid any tell-tale lines.
- Next, take your highlighter and apply it to the high points of your face using a fan brush or small fluffy brush. Concentrate the product on your cheekbones, brow bone, and down the center of your nose, being sure to blend it in well with your foundation.
- If you want to take your highlighted look to the next level, try layering different highlighters on top of each other for a multi-dimensional effect. For example, you could apply a champagne-toned highlighter first, followed by a subtle gold highlighter for added warmth.
- Finally, finish off your look with a sweep of translucent powder to set your makeup in place and prevent any unwanted shine.
It's important to choose the right shade of highlighter for your skin tone. If you have fair skin, opt for a highlighter with a pink or champagne undertone. If you have medium to dark skin, go for a highlighter with a gold or bronze undertone. This will ensure that your highlighter looks natural and enhances your features.
Tips for Layering Highlighter with Other Makeup Products
If you want to incorporate highlighter into your makeup routine, but aren't sure where to start, a great way to get started is by layering it with other products you already use. For example, you could mix a drop of liquid highlighter with your foundation for an all-over glow, or tap a bit of highlighter onto the center of your lips for a fuller pout.
Another way to layer highlighter is by applying it on top of your blush. This will give your cheeks a beautiful, dewy finish. Simply apply your blush as you normally would, and then lightly dust some highlighter on the highest point of your cheekbones. You can also apply highlighter on the inner corners of your eyes to make them appear brighter and more awake.
When layering highlighter with other products, it's important to remember to use a light hand. Highlighter is meant to enhance your features, not overpower them. Start with a small amount and build up as needed. You can always add more, but it's much harder to take away once you've applied too much.
How to Avoid Common Mistakes When Highlighting
While highlighting can be a game-changer for your look, there are a few common mistakes that are easy to make. For one, applying too much highlighter can give you an overly-shiny, almost greasy look. It's important to build up the product gradually and blend it in well. Additionally, be sure to select a highlighter that's the right tone and finish for your skin tone.
Another common mistake when highlighting is applying it in the wrong areas. Highlighter should be applied to the high points of your face, such as the cheekbones, brow bone, and cupid's bow. Applying it to areas like the forehead or chin can make your face look oily and shiny. It's also important to consider the occasion and time of day when applying highlighter. A subtle, natural-looking highlight may be more appropriate for daytime events, while a more intense highlight can be perfect for a night out.
Alternative Ways to Incorporate Highlighter into Your Summer Beauty Routine
Highlighter doesn't just have to be a staple in your makeup routine - it can also be used in some creative ways to enhance your natural beauty. For example, you can mix a drop of highlighter with your body lotion for an all-over glow, or tap a bit of highlighter onto your collarbones and shoulders to enhance your summer tan.
Another way to incorporate highlighter into your summer beauty routine is by using it as an eyeshadow. Apply a small amount of highlighter to your eyelids for a subtle, shimmery look that will make your eyes pop. You can also mix a drop of highlighter with your lip gloss or lipstick for a glossy, luminous finish.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can even use highlighter to create a temporary tattoo. Simply draw a design on your skin with a highlighter pen and let it dry. The highlighter will give your skin a metallic sheen that will last for a few hours. This is a fun way to add some sparkle to your summer festival look!
The Best Highlighters on the Market: Our Top Picks for a Sultry Summer Glow
There are countless highlighters on the market, ranging from drugstore steals to high-end luxury products. Some of our favorite highlighters for achieving a sultry summer glow include the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector, Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter, and the Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter.
When choosing a highlighter, it's important to consider your skin tone and the type of finish you prefer. For those with fair skin, a champagne or pearl-toned highlighter will give a subtle glow, while those with deeper skin tones may want to opt for a gold or bronze shade for a more dramatic effect. Additionally, if you prefer a more natural-looking glow, a cream or liquid highlighter may be a better choice than a powder formula.
Another factor to consider when choosing a highlighter is the occasion. For a daytime look, a subtle highlighter applied to the high points of the face can give a fresh, dewy look. However, for a night out or special event, a more intense highlighter applied to the cheekbones, brow bone, and inner corners of the eyes can create a stunning, glamorous effect.
How to Make Your Highlighted Look Last All Day and Night
If you want your highlighted look to last from morning until night, then it's important to apply your highlighter in thin, even layers and build it up gradually. You can also use a setting spray or powder to help lock your look in place. Additionally, consider using a longer-lasting cream or liquid highlighter instead of a powder formula.
Another tip to make your highlighted look last all day and night is to prep your skin properly before applying your highlighter. Make sure to cleanse, tone, and moisturize your skin before applying any makeup. This will help create a smooth base for your highlighter to adhere to and prevent it from fading or smudging throughout the day.
Lastly, if you have oily skin, it's important to choose a matte or oil-free highlighter to prevent your skin from looking too shiny or greasy. You can also use blotting papers or a mattifying powder throughout the day to absorb any excess oil and keep your highlighter looking fresh.
From Daytime to Nighttime: Adapting Your Highlighted Look for Different Occasions
While highlighting can be stunning for a daytime look, it can also make a statement for a nighttime look. For example, a bold, metallic highlighter can be perfect for a summer night out, while a more natural-looking sheen is ideal for a beach bonfire or backyard BBQ.
It's important to consider the overall look you're going for when adapting your highlighted look for different occasions. For a more dramatic nighttime look, you may want to use a heavier hand with your highlighter and pair it with a bold lip color or smoky eye. On the other hand, for a more laid-back daytime look, a subtle highlight paired with a natural makeup look can be perfect. Don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you!
Achieving a Natural-Looking Glow: Tips and Tricks from Professional Makeup Artists
While a bold, metallic highlight may be on-trend right now, some people prefer a more natural-looking glow. If this is the case for you, then opt for a subtle, champagne-toned highlighter and apply with a light hand, building gradually as needed. You can also use a powdered highlighter for a more subtle effect.
Another tip for achieving a natural-looking glow is to focus on skincare. Makeup artists recommend using a hydrating moisturizer and a facial oil to give your skin a healthy, radiant look. Additionally, incorporating a facial mist or setting spray into your routine can help to lock in moisture and give your skin a dewy finish. Remember, a natural-looking glow starts with a good skincare routine!
How to Remove Your Highlighter at the End of the Day Without Damaging Your Skin
Finally, it's important to remember to remove your makeup properly at the end of the day, including any highlighter you've used. Gently cleanse your face using a gentle cleanser or makeup remover, and use a toner to remove any leftover product. Follow up with your usual moisturizer and eye cream to keep your skin looking and feeling healthy.
With these tips, tricks, and expert insights, you'll be well on your way to achieving a sultry summer glow with highlighting. So, go ahead and experiment with different shades, finishes, and application techniques until you find the look that works best for you!
However, it's important to note that using highlighter too frequently or leaving it on for extended periods of time can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. To avoid this, limit your use of highlighter to a few times a week and make sure to remove it at the end of the day. Additionally, consider using a non-comedogenic highlighter that won't clog your pores.
